"Andy is looking forward to playing for us and doing a great job, which we would hope will get him to Brazil. I'm sure Rickie is the same. One or the other would go.

"I think it will be a competition between the two on who consistently plays the best this season. From a selfish point of view, I hope it's Andy."

Lambert scored within three minutes of coming on against Scotland, later hitting the woodwork and forcing Allan McGregor into a fine save from point-blank range. Allardyce was delighted for the 31-year-old, who has risen from the bottom of the Football League to international level, arguing that every squad needs a player of his type.

"For Rickie it was great to see him come on and make a statement," the West Ham boss added. "To get the winner against Scotland shows what he can do and what England might be missing a bit.

"It shows you have to have other dimensions in your squad no matter what level you play at."